Relay rack



July 18, 1933. F C,l AVARACK 1,919,166

RELAY RACK Filed Jan. 9, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l ooo'o,o oooKooo oxooo ooocsooo ooooml''oo Tw o o/Z o INVENTOR El ci CD fffffvc/f cm1/Amm.

July 18, 1933. F, c. LAVARACK 1,919,166

RELAY RACK Filed Jan. 9. 1931 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented July 18, 1933 f STATES PATENT @ENCE t, EETI JERSEY, .ilSSSG-NOR TO RAILROAD i, Y., A COR'EORATON lOF NEW YORK RE LAY RJLCK Application filed. January 9, 1981. Serial fo. 507,557.

This invention relates to railway signalling, especially to railway signal tower littings, and more particularly to railway sigg-nal tower, or other structure, combine/l relay and terminal racks.

'lhose acquainted with modern railway si;'nalling, especially .modern railway electric signalling, in which free and extensive use is .ina/de oit' trackcircnit sections, are. well.

aware that the complexity' and efV t to which modern track circuit signal i@ na; progressed necessitates an nnniense ninnber of track and control relays assembled under one roof, generally that of the signal toi.

Those aceua-inted with the volume of p en t tra'nc over the railway lines loca-te?L in and approaching the vgreat railway tern'iinals tne larger cities, and the railway lines elftenat in el() or iniles lroin 'the larger cities in t, some instances, know that the volnine o tralic is such that the slightestimpediment thereto results, not only in annoying; delays b to the railway ollicials and the pa nu gers, lint also, especially in the case of excess Aiai'e trains in great linancial loss to the railway. y l

lt a piace like the Grand Central. 'lerininal New `iork city andthe tracks `forming` the approach thereto for a distance or el() or :EO niiles therefrom, excess fare trains are operated in numerous sections wivn not incre than one and one halll minutes headway tlierebetween, so that the slightest delay dne to the failure et trackway appliances, is of -very serion inonient.

Hereto'lore, large numbers of track relays and control relays lia-ve been assembled in 'nil towers, soine'tinies inade of wood, on relay shelves or supports also constructed oit wood. Such construction not only is an eX- treinely dangerous n're hazard, but is also an entrenie operating hazard, l ecanse, Vin caf-ze ot. lirej the enclosing,structure and th i supporting structure are soon consnnif the total destruction oi the tracl-z and control relays, and the consequent entire disrnption ol? the sign al service.

,llie more nio lern structures utilised as si gnal towers are now coi/istrncted of snbstantially non inllaininable material, but little or nothing has been done about constructing the relay supports of non-inflammable material, and pracl" t thought has been given to i relay supports of such a nature will not only be non-inllannnable ,but will inost eliiciei y support the relays, to the end that tiey will be systematically arraneed, well presented for inspection, and so positioned as 'to facilitate the ruiming of the necessary wires thereto with proper snpport and systematic arrangement for those wires.

nrincipai object et' this invention is the of a non-inriannnable relay rack.

er objiect of this invention is the provision ot arelay rack of such construction t will be adapten :fior a sinall assemblage .vs and also lor the largest possible assenibn e o'l relays by an expansion subslantiaL consisting in a duplication of units.

A turnier object of this invention is the provision of' a relay supporting` rack of such construction vthat all machine work thereon may be done in a shop or factory, and it niay then be assembled in the jield by comparatively unskilled. workmen, by the use of only those irinds ot tools which unskilled workinen may well be able to manipulate, such as, wrenches and screw-drivers.

ri. further object olf this invention is the pi Y `1 ol a relay rack ot' the type descrioeiil which will be oi such construction he relayer l be pendant from a vertical sn ce thereby olivi';i1igv tie known dilliarisinw' troni resting a relay on a horigi# object of this invention is the a structure of the type specified provide vertical surfaces to relays may be hungl provided with fangred and regularly spaced perrorations pre:eterininately arranged to provide the receiiticn ol any o1 the several well lniown ttor t track and control relays now nsed in n Y electric signalling.

il urther object ci ie invention is the provision oi a relay Y' :li of the type specilied nl i will in add .lon to providing' for the hanging or" relays thereon also provide for the attaching thereto of standard terminal blocks and lightning arresters by including therein a vertical surface oriiiced to receive supporting bolts properly positioned for attaching any of the well known standard forms of terminal bloclts or lightning arresters, and also oriiiced suitably for ruiming the necessary conducting wires thereto.

A further object of the invention Iis the provision of a relay rack of the type specified which will also include suitable wire runs and wire racks for positioning and supporting the necessary wires connecting with the relays, terminal block., and lightning arresters mounted on the relay rack.

Further objects and advantages will appear as the description of the particular physical embodiment selected to illustrate the invention progresses and the novel features will be particularly pointed. out in the appended claims.

In describing the invention in detail and the particular physical embodiment selected to illustrate the invention, particular reference is had to the accompanying drawings and the several views thereof, in which like characters of reference refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational View of a relay rack embodying applicants in vention; Fig. 2 a horizontal sectional plan view on the plane indicated by the line II-II of Fig. 1, viewed in the direction of the arrows at the ends of the line; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view on the plane indicated by the line III-III of 2, viewed in the direction of the arrows at the ends of the line; Fig. 4 is a sectional elevational view on the plane indicated by the line IV-IV of Fig. 2, viewed in the direction of the arrows at the ends of the line; Fig. 5 is a horizont-al sectional view on the plane indicated by the line V-V of Fig. 4, viewed in the direction of the arrows at the ends of the line; Fig. (i is a separated or exploded view illustrating the connection between a vertical post and a vertical relay supporting member used in my invention; Fig. 7 is a top plan view of a pinnacle used with my invention; Fig. 8 is a sectional view on the plane indicated by the line VIII-VIII of Fig. 1, viewed in the direction of the arrows at the ends of the line.

In order that the relay rack of my invention shall be practically and substantially non-inflammable, I construct the main frame thereof entirely of metal, preferable steel, except such portions thereof which may more readily be cast of iron. I do employ some relatively few parts such as wiring templates and wire supporting hollow rolls formed of an insulating material which is somewhat inflammable, but the proportion of such material is such that the structure as a whole yis substantially non-inflammable.

My relay rack, broadly considered, in

cludes four or more corner posts as 1, 2, 3 and 4, as best shown in Fig. 2, and the two posts 2 and 4 shown in elevation in Fig. 1; lateral braces as 5 and 6, best shown in Fig. 2; a plurality of relay supporting panels as 7 and 8, best shown in Fig. 1; and somewhat similarly formed and supported terminal block panels as 9, best shown in Fig. 4; and a wire supporting rack designated as a whole by 10, best shown in Fig. 2.

The corner posts, as 1, 2, 3 and 4, are formed preferably of angle-iron, each corner post being composed of two angle-irons as 1l and l2, as best shown in the upper left hand corner of Fig. 2. Each leg of each. angle is perforated at small intervals forming openings for the reception of the bolts or like fastenmgs.

The lowest portion or foot of each corner post composed of two angle-irons is inserted in a pedestal, as 13 and 14, best shown in Fig. 1, and shown in plan View in Fig. 8. Each pedestal, as 13, is formed with a T-slot 15 which is of such dimensions as to receive and snugly lit the ends of the two adjoining angle-irons forming the corner. The pedestal 13 is also formed with orifices for the reception of fastening means such as lag screws or bolts, 16 and 17, for bolting the corner post to a suitable foundation. Interposed between the foundation and the pedestal 13, I preferably employ a metal blade, as 18, so as not only to secure a proper bearing, but also to afford a uniform surface for the pedestal 13 to abut and the angle-irons as 11 and 12 to rest against.

At the top of each corner post I place a pinnacle as 19 and 20, best shown in Fig. 1. This pinnacle, as shown in Fig. 7, is formed with a T-slot 21 for receiving the two adjacent angle-irons. This pinnacle firmly holds the two angle-irons together and in position, being assisted in this function by the pedestal 13 and through bolts, as 22 and 23, passed at intervals through aligning ori lices in abutting legs of the angle-bars, as best shown in Fig. 2.

The corner posts, as 1, 2, 3 and 4, may be of any desired length, but in practice it is preferred to make them of such length that the relays supported by the rack will all be well within the range of reach and vision to one standing upon the same base upon which the rack is positioned. The distance between any two posts longitudinal of the rack, as between posts 2 and 4, is any convenient distance which does not necessitate a relay panel such as 7 being of a length awkward to handle. Applicant has found about five feet and one half as an average convenient length.

The corner posts, as 1 and 2, are separated transversely a distance such that stability will be maintained, and ample space will be provided on the wire racks 1() for the recep- (EFI tionof such wiresas may jbe needed to connect with the various instruments supported by the relay rack. In practice, applicant spaces posts, as l and 2, about 18 inches apart, and in order to maintain the spacing and make the structure rigid, lateral braces, as 5, are positioned at intervals. between the posts, as l and 2. These lateral braces are bolted, as by bolts and 26, to the legs of the angle-bars forming the corner posts. The upper and lower edges of the lateral braces, as 5, are carefully rounded so as to prevent them from abrading the insulation of wire which may be drawn over themlongitudinally of the relay rack.

In Fig. l, applicant has shown two relay panels or supporting braces. The number of these supporting surfaces or panels may be as desired depending uponthe height of the corner posts and the,v spacing of the panels one from the other. p

Each panel, as 7, is formed exactly like every other panel, as A8, 'except that panels, as 7 and 8, which form the terminal panels of one end of the structure, are klonger than intermediate panels, as 27 and 28. l The intermediate panels, as 27 and 28, extend from the center line of a post, as 4, to the center line of another post, whereas the panels, as 7 and 8, extend from the vcenter line of a post as 4 to and beyond thecenter line of a post,

2, so as to afford a more agreeable appearing finish to the structure.

Each of the panels, as 7, 8, 27, and 28, are all `generally channel shaped, as best-shown in Fig. (i, with the ends 29 and 30 of the legs of the channel turned over parallel with the face of the channel, asbest shown in Fig. 6. The ends of the legs 29 and 3()A are each formed with substantially semi-circular cutout portions, as 31 and 32, of such size that the bolts, as 33 and 34, used for attaching the panels to the corner posts may nicely rest therein to the end that no endwise movement of the panels may takeplace even if the bolts become slightly loosened. ln order to further prevent a panel from actually falling if the bolts should become loosened, a panel clamp as 35, substantially U-shaped in crosssection, is interposed between the head of the bolt, as 33, and the leg, as 29, of the channel, as 7, all as well shown in Fig. 4. The U- shaped panel clamp is formed with orifices, as 36 and 37, through which the bolts, as 33 I and 34, pass, and the bottom of the U rests against the turned over ends of the legs of the channel.. rlhe ends ofthe U-shaped panel clamp extend from one leg to the other of the panel, and the bolts as 33 and 34 pass through orifices, as 36 and 37, of the U-shaped panel clamp, thenV fitting into the .semi-circular notches, as 3l and 32, pass through leveling plates, as 38 and 39, and through an orifice in one of the legs of the angle-bars forming a corner post. By this vmethod of construction it is quite impossible for the panel, 7,

to become detached from bolts, as 33 and 34, so as to drop, and interfere, not only the relays suspended by it, but perhaps other relays suspended on other relays below it. Such complicated construction as has been devised for supporting the relay panels, as 7, 8, 27, and 28, would in most structures be unnecessary but it must be continually borne in mind that all .structures appertaining to railway signalling must possess factors of safety far surpassing ordinary structures so that, although, for ordinary purposes a bolt merely passed through a leg of the panel and into and through an angle-iron would be sufficient, railway signalling structures require the provision of fastening means which must be not only easily manipulated but which, even if loosened so that their proper function is not being properly performed, they will still function to prevent an accident which might result in the giving of false clear signals. Each end of each of the relay panels is supported in the manner described, the abutting ends of two panels and their connecting means being quite clearly shown in Fig. 5, in section.

The number of corner posts on one side of the relay rack, as 2 and 4, may be as desired so that when a suitable number of intermediate corner posts, as 4, are used, the relay supporting structure may be of any desired length to support any desired number of relays. The structure is practically a unit structure comprising four corner posts and relay supporting panels. If a longer structure is desired two additional corner posts are added for each new group of relay supporting panels desired.

The relay panels, as best shown in Fig. l, have longitudinal slots, as 4() and 4l, therein arranged in pairs and supported a distance from each other such that an ordinary relay can be positioned therebetween. Each slotI is covered by a wiring template, as 42 and 43. These wiring templates are formed of insulating material and with orifices, as 44 and 45, therein for the reception of insulating conducting wires so that the wires going to av relay may be passed through the orifices, as 44 and 45, and suitably supported and positioned to properly connect with a relay, as 46, which is hung upon the relay panel by means of bolts, as 47 and 48, passed through a portion of the relay structure and through oriiices formed in the relay panel at predetermined distances apart. These orifices for receiving the bolts, as 47 and 48, are arranged in pairs at a proper spacing to provide for hanging any of the ordinary and well known standard forms of track or control relays. In Fig. l three different pairs are shown, as 49, 50 and 5l.

Substantially opposite to the relay panels,

as 7, on the faces of the posts, as l and 3, on J .l

the back-side of the relay rack are positioned terminal block or lightning arrester panels as 9, best shown in FigQ4, in section, and in back view in Fig. 3, These terminal block panels are preferably made of lsubstantially the same structural shape as thev relay panels, and are attached to the posts, 1 and', in substantially the samenianner as the relay panels are attached to the posts 2 and 4. ln fact, the terminal'block panels 9 are substantially the enact counter parts ot' the relay panels except that the terminal panels, as 9, have their broad face differently perforated. The terminal panels, as 9, have a plurality of perforations, and for the reception of attaching bolts,`as 54 and for attaching a terminal. block, as 56, or a lightning arrester of substantially similar form, to the panel. 'lhe panel, as Sl, 'further has orifices. as 57 and 56, one above and one below each terminal block bolt attaching perforation for the reception oit Wires, as 59 and 60, which are to be attached to the terminal block, as 56, or the .l l glituin g arrester.

lllithin eacl bav as betu'een the posts l, 2, 4 and 3, and elated with each pair of 'front and b; p: vlele, as 7 and l), as shown in Fig. 4, is a Wire ra l" or support 10, as shown in ll This i. e rack has one side composed of an augleiron., as 6l, and the other side of a reverscly positioned angle iron, as 62. flue leg ofthe angle-iron 62 re s upon 'the loivi A'O of a relay Vpanel and a leg of tl e ci.. angle ron 61 rests upon a corresp'oiuling leg of the terminal block panel op osite.

The vfre-1. ma of the angle-irons Gland 62 are connected lfy ros-s, as 63 and 64. best shown in Fig. Il. Each of the rods surrounded by insulating tube, as and 66. 'lliis wire rack or support l0 affords a means for sl'ritalily siu'rporting the Wires running transversa iy of the relay rack and passing through orilieea, as 44 'and 45, and also through ori@ is as andv 5S, as shown in Fig. ii, to the terminal blocks 56, as best rlliown in Fig. 4. By srufrounding the rods, 63 and 64, with insulating material the danger of a bare wire coming in contact with the metallic relay raizk 'fraaie is largely obviated.

The. construction of relay rack herinbefore described is such' that a common pedestal. is provided for corner posts. These may be kept in stock a i'. are suitable 'for any and all installations; idard intermediate relay panels and stan( i termed'ate terminal block panels mai.y ,.,e lupi'- in stock,'aud are suitable for andv all installations; standard end rl panels and standard end terminal block els may be keptin stock, and are suitable any installation; relay and terminal block panel fastening means U panel clamps and blades are standard, and may be kept in stock, and are suitable for any installation; wiring templates, as 42 and 43,

are standard, and may be kept, and are suitable for all installations; pinnacles, as 19 andl Q0, are standard, and may be kept in stock suitable for any installation; and the Wire racks are of standard length and standard Width so maybe made in quantity, and kept-in stock, and be suitable for any installation; the'same is true of the lateral braces as 5 which are standard, and may be stocked Without fear of loss. Practically the only variable member is the angle-iron used for corner posts, but this may be made in long lengths and be cut ofiA at a length suitable for any particular installation so that, on the Whole, very little Waste Would be incurred if made in stock sizes of very considerable length.

The relay rack provided by applicant is non-inflammable except for the small proportion of Wiring templates, as 42 and 43, and the insulating members, as 65 and 66. It is adapted for fabrication in a shop or factory as is evident. It may be assembled in the field, as is evident, by Workmen of. very slight skill, by the use of no tools other than Wrenches. It provides a suitable and secure panel upon which to hang a track or control relay Without, having that relay rest upon a base so that the danger of relay contacts closing improperly upon the breaking of the usual glass base is obviated. Each relay is positioned so as to be easily reached and inspected, and the relays and terminal blocks are all arranged so systematically that the Wires going thereto may also be arranged systematically and conveniently.

Although I have particularly described one particularphysical embodiment of my invention and explained the principle and. operation thereof nevertheless, I desire to have it understood that the form selected is merely illustrative, but does not exhaust the possible physical embodiments of the idea of means underlying my invention.

WVhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In a relay rack, in combination: tour corner posts, arranged as at the corners of a rectangle; a relay panel, formed with aplurality of spaced orifices in a plurality of pairs, each pair adapted for the reception of means for supporting a relay, and also formed with elongated orifices, one on each side of each relay, and with an orifice at each end of each of the elongated orifices; a Wiring template adapted to be secured by means passing through the orifices at each end of the elongated orifices; a terminal block panel, said terminal block panel formed with a ilurality of orifices in pairs for receiving astening means for attaching terminal blocks thereto, and With orifices adapted to receive Wires for attachment to each terminal block; means for attaching the relay panel to two of the ing adjacent the corner posts; a plurality ofcorner posts and means for attaching the terminal block panel to the other corner posts; means securing together and spacing apart the posts supporting the relay panel with those supporting the terminal block panel; a wire supporting rack formed with two side members, one resting upon a relay panel, the other resting upon a terminal block panel, and a plurality of rods extending between the sides and attached thereto, each rod being covered with a non-conducting material in tube form. 7

2. In a relay rack, in combination: corner posts, each formed with .a plurality of oriices; relay panels and terminal block panels,

each of substantially channel form, with the ends of the legs of the channel turned in parallel with the face, each of the turned in portions being formed with notches adapted to lit partially about a bolt; U-shaped panel clamps each provided with two orilices, one positioned adjacent each end thereof, said panel clamps being of a length substantially equal to the distance between the legs of the relay and terminal block panel and being positioned between the turned over portions of the legs and the back face of the relay panels and terminal block panels; bolts, one passing through each U-shaped panel clamp orifice and through an orilice in a corner post, one U-shaped panel clamp being positioned at each end of a panel.

3. In a relay rack, in combination four metallic corner posts arranged as at the corners of a rectangle, each corner post being formed of two angle-irons with the face of the leg of one bearing against the face of the leg of the other, and the remaining faces forming a straight line; means for maintaining the several angle-irons together, the legs forming a straight line being formed with a plurality of orifices spaced longitudinally of the corner post; means rigidly supporting and spacterminal block panels, each adapted to .be attached to the corner posts at desired spacing from others and each formed with a plurality of sets of a plurality of pairs of orilices adapted to receive supporting means for a relay.

4. In a relay rack, in combination: a metallic relay panel, said relay panel being sub stantially channel shaped in cross-section with the ends of the legs turned in and parallel to the back face, the face of the channel being formed with a plurality ot' sets oit a plurality of pairs of orifices each adapted to receive supporting means for a relay, the panel also formed with elongated orifices, one on each side of each of the sets of orifices for receiving relay supporting means, and further formed with orifices one at each end of each of the elongated oritices; a wiring template over each or' the elongated orifices and supported in place by fastening means passing through the wiring template and an orifice at each end of the elongated orifice.

5. In a relay rack, in combination: a spaced relay panel and terminal panel; a Wire rack supported at one side by the relay panel and at the other side by the terminal panel, said wire rack formed with elongated sides and a plurality of rods passing therebetween, each rod surrounded by a non-conducting tube.

6. In a relay rack, in combination: a metallic corner post formed with spaced oriices vertically and horizontally; a relay panel substantially channel form in crosssection but having the ends of the legs turned in substantially parallel to the back face of the channel, said turned in portions each having a notch formed therein; a U-shaped panel clamp formed with an orifice adjacent each end thereof positioned between the legs of the channel and between the turned over portions of the legs and the back face of the channel and bolts, one passing through each orifice in the U-shaped panel clamp, fitting into a notch in t-he turned over portion of the channel leg and passing through an orifice in the corner post.

FREDERICK C. LAVARACK. 

